Process and device for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a process and to a device for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet.

[0002] The process according to the invention comprises the following stages:

• forming a group of cigarettes with a predetermined number and order corresponding to those in the packed state;
• combining the group of cigarettes with a wrapping sheet in a predetermined relative position and inserting them into a containing compartment with simultaneous folding of the wrapping sheet into a "C" shape around the sides of the group of cigarettes associated with the closed sides of the containing compartment;
• forming a tubular wrapping by folding and retaining in position the flaps of the wrapping sheet on that side of the group of cigarettes at the open entrance side of the containing compartment;
• subsequently closing the open ends of the tubular wrapping by folding wings formed by the terminal portions at the ends of the tubular wrapping projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the group of cigarettes;
• in which the complete formation of the pack, in other words the complete folding of the wrapping sheet around the ordered group of cigarettes, is executed in two stations only, in other words in the station where the group of cigarettes and the wrapping sheet are fed into the containing compartment and in only one of the subsequent stations, known as the folding station, the pack being completely formed when it leaves the said folding station, the forming of the open tubular wrapping being executed substantially in the feed station and completed during the step of advance, in other words in the initial portion of the step of advance, and the closing on the ends of the tubular wrapping being completed simultaneously for both opposite ends of the tubular wrapping in the subsequent folding station, while in the next step of advance the completely formed wrapping is simply kept closed until the discharge station is reached.

[0003] The folding station is advantageously the one immediately following the feed station, so that the ordered group of cigarettes is already completely wrapped in the wrapping sheet before the start of the second step of advance.

[0004] The process provides for the folding of the wrapping sheet to close the open sides in such a way that the flaps or wings are folded in succession with one being superimposed on another, at least partially, starting with the lowest to the outermost, at a speed higher than the speed of elastic return to the substantially unfolded position or to an intermediate position of folding of the said wings or flaps, while the final upper flap or wing is kept in position folded against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes and against the other lower flaps or wings until the group of cigarettes, wrapped in this way in the wrapping sheet, is discharged.

[0005] A process of this kind as defined in the precharacterizing part of claim 1, is known from the document GB-A-2101958.

[0006] The invention aims to further improve the above described process, in such a way that, by means of simple and economically advantageous arrangements it becomes possible to further limit the effects on operating speed, in other words on the pack wrapping time, and consequently to improve the efficiency of the packaging devices, and also to use new materials with differing degrees of elasticity and of recovery, in other words of returning to the initial state after folding.

[0007] The invention achieves the above objects with a process of the kind described initially and characterized - according to the characterizing part of claim 1 - in that provision is made to leave free at least one peripheral strip for superimposition of an upper flap or wing to be left free on the lower flaps or wings, this peripheral superimposition strip being provided on a directly adjacent side next to or facing the subsequent upper flap or wing, in other words a part of the flap which is folded into position first, the lower wing or flap being kept in the folded position only until the upper folding wing or flap is at least partially superimposed on to the free superimposition strip.

[0008] The invention also relates to a device for the application of the said process, which comprises:

• means for forming an ordered group of cigarettes;
• means for feeding the said group together with a wrapping sheet into a containing compartment open at least at one entry side and at two sides transverse with respect to it;
• means for conveying the said containing compartment;
• movable and/or stationary folding means which are distributed along the path of the compartment for containing the group of cigarettes to be packed and the associated wrapping sheet, these means being designed to fold the wrapping sheet around the group of cigarettes to form a first tubular wrapping and subsequently to close the open ends of the said tubular wrapping.
• the movable and/or stationary folding means being provided only in the feed station and in only one of the subsequent stations, which is a folding station for completing the packaging wrapper, and which is preferably the station immediately following the feed station.

[0009] A device of this kind is also known from the said document GB-A-2101958.

[0010] According to the invention, in a device of this kind, the folding means are shaped in such a way with respect to the flaps or wings and/or are operated in such a way that they stop at a certain distance from a free edge of the said flaps or wings, leaving free a partial or complete strip for the superimposition of the subsequent flap or wing and of the corresponding folder, on that side which is reached first by the folder of the said subsequent wing or flap, the folding means and the operating and synchronizing means being made in such a way that the folding means of the lower wings or flaps and those of the wings and flaps directly above do not interfere with each other, while means are provided which advance the start of the folding movement of the folding means of the upper wing or flap with respect to the return movement of the folder of the flap or wing immediately below, this advance corresponding to the movement required for the superimposition of the said upper flap or wing on the free peripheral superimposition strip of the lower flap or wing.

[0011] According to a further improvement, the folding means are made in such a way that they are disposed in a stand-by position directly next to the wings or flaps of the wrapping sheet which have not yet been folded, or are brought into this position during the idle or waiting time of these or of other folders, and with the folding edge substantially aligned and/or coinciding with the predetermined folding line.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the wrapping sheet is wrapped in a tubular form around the group of cigarettes, along an axis perpendicular to the direction of transport, while the open side of the containing compartment is orientated parallel to the direction of transport or at a tangent and/or secant to the said direction of transport.

[0013] In this case, at least one stationary folder and at least one tangential movable folder are provided in the station for feeding the group of cigarettes into the containing compartment, and are disposed opposite each other with respect to the advance of the containing compartment, the tangential movable folder being capable of being driven alternately forwards and backwards, in the direction of advance of the containing compartment or in a direction tangential to the path of advance and transverse with respect to the flap of the wrapping to be folded, with the provision of means of synchronized activation of the reciprocating motion of the tangential folder with the advance of the containing compartment and means of limiting the advance and return movements of the movable folder, these means being made in such a way that the movement of advance takes place in the direction of advance of the containing compartment, and is advanced to such an extent with respect to the step of advance of the said compartment that the folder assumes a stable relative position with respect to the free edge of the folded flap, forming a front peripheral strip which is transverse with respect to the step of advance of the containing compartment, this strip being designed to be partially inserted for a certain distance under the stationary folder and under the part of the flap folded by it, before the said movable folder starts its return movement in the direction opposite the direction of advance of the containing compartment.

[0014] In the folding station, movable means for folding the projecting end portions of the tubular wrapping are provided for each open end of the tubular wrapping, the end portions comprising at least one pair of first wings opposite each other and orientated tangentially to the direction of advance or in the direction of advance of the containing compartment, and at least two further, second wings opposite each other, joined at their ends to the two tangential wings and orientated transversely, preferably perpendicularly, with respect to the said tangential wings and to the direction of advance of the containing compartment, the movable folders of the first wings consisting of a surface which can oscillate about an axis coinciding with the folding line, in other words with the edge of the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, from a position in which it is substantially aligned with and externally superimposed on the said wings in the unfolded state to the folded position of the wings, in which the folding surface which can oscillate is turned over against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, and the folders of the second wings consisting of two blades opposite each other and with a folding edge movable to a position coinciding with the folding line of the said second wings, in other words with the corresponding edge of the side of the group of cigarettes, these folding blades being capable of being driven with a sliding motion parallel and tangential to the plane containing the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, one blade being driven in a direction opposite that of the other, and the blades being driven alternately, so that each carries out a folding movement in which the folding blades are at least partially superimposed on the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes and a return movement to the rest and/or stand-by position.

[0015] The invention also relates to other characteristics which further improve the process and the device described above and which form the subject of the dependent claims.

[0016] The particular characteristics of the invention, and the advantages derived therefrom, will be more clearly understood from the description of some preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of example and without restriction in the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a forming wheel provided according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view in the direction of feed of the group of cigarettes into the containing compartment of a forming wheel;

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the transmission and drive system for synchronizing the steps of advance of the forming wheel with the drive of the folding means;

Fig. 4 is a schematic axonometric view of the oscillating blades for folding the radial flaps on the open ends of the tubular wrapping on both ends of the group of cigarettes;

Fig. 5 shows the transmission means for the synchronized operation of the oscillating blades;

Figs. 6 and 7 show the means of operating the folders for the flaps on the ends of the tubular wrapping, which are orientated tangentially to the direction of advance;

Fig. 8 is a view of a folder with the supporting bar, the oscillating drive shaft and the elbow joint end;

Fig. 9 is a view of the front radial side, transverse with respect to the direction of transport, of the group of cigarettes between the folders of the flaps tangential to the direction of advance;

Figs. 10 to 13 are schematic views of four stages of folding of the wrapping sheet for the formation of a tubular wrapping;

Figs. 14 to 19 show, schematically and in relation to only one end of the ordered group of cigarettes, the stages of the closing of the tubular wrapping on the said end;

Figs. 20 to 23 are perspective and more schematic views of the stages of folding the projecting flaps of the tubular wrapping as shown in Figs. 14 to 20;

Fig. 24 shows the wrapped group of cigarettes at the point where it is released from the folding station and in combination with means for keeping the folded flaps in the folded state;

Figs. 25 to 28 show some stages of the folding of the projecting ends of the tubular wrapping for closing the ends of the wrapping according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

[0017] With reference to Figures 1 to 9, a cigarette packing machine comprises a conveyor drum 1, known as a forming wheel, which is supported rotatably about its own axis on a shaft 301 from which it projects. The forming wheel 1 has a plurality of peripheral radial compartments 101, each of which can contain a group of cigarettes S together with a wrapping sheet 2 for the said group of cigarettes. The containing compartments 101 are formed by axially coinciding recesses of rectangular shape, corresponding to that of the wrapping of the group of cigarettes, these recesses being made in two adjacent discs 201 which form the sides of the forming wheel 1. The containing compartments 101 are distributed at equal angular intervals along the circumference of the forming wheel 1 and the wheel is made to rotate in steps with an angular size corresponding to the angular distance between the individual containing compartments 101.

[0018] In the central part of the wheel, between the two discs 201, there is a pusher and guide unit indicated overall by the number 3, which has an expelling pusher 103 and a guide 203 on each of its diametrically opposite sides. The expelling pusher 103 and the guide 203 can be driven so that they slide in diametrically opposite directions and interact with the group of cigarettes S together with the sheet 2 in the feed station A and with the wrapped group of cigarettes in the wrapping sheet 2 in the discharge station E on the diametrically opposite side. The group of cigarettes S has a predetermined number of cigarettes with an ordered disposition corresponding to that which the cigarettes are intended to have in the packed state. The group of cigarettes S is orientated with the axis of the cigarettes parallel to the axis of the forming wheel 1, while the ends of the cigarettes are disposed substantially flush with the outer faces of the discs 201. The group of cigarettes is formed by feeding a specified number of cigarettes into housings of predetermined shape associated with a conveyor belt, known as a box conveyor, which is known per se and is not illustrated. Each group of cigarettes is then brought into a transfer station and then into a station for combination with a wrapping sheet. In the station for combination with a wrapping sheet, the group of cigarettes is disposed so that it coincides with the complementary containing compartment 101 and is in front of the open entry side of the compartment, in such a way that it can be introduced into the compartment by movement in a direction transverse with respect to the cigarettes and radial with respect to the forming wheel 1. In the combination station, a wrapping sheet 2 is fed on to the transverse side of the group of cigarettes S, while the sheet and the group of cigarettes are kept in position and then transferred together to the containing compartment 101 by a feed pusher 4 which interacts with the guide 203 and can be moved together with it. At the time of insertion into the containing compartment 101, the wrapping sheet is automatically folded around the sides of the group of cigarettes S inside the containing compartment 101, while axial flaps 102, 202 of the sheet project radially outside the entrance aperture of the said containing compartment 101.

[0019] The folding of the wrapping sheet 2 around the ordered group of cigarettes at the time of insertion into the containing compartment 101 is caused by two opposing folding edges 105, 205 of a stationary aperture 5 which is provided in a position coinciding with the open side of the containing compartment 101 in the feed station A and which is made in a stationary cylindrical coaxial peripheral wall 305 which extends around the forming wheel 1.

[0020] A tangential folder 6 is supported so that it can be moved parallel to its extension and alternately in both directions, in other words in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 and in the opposite direction, substantially along a path tangential to the forming wheel 1, in other words to the open side of the containing compartment 101 in the feed station A. The folder is fitted on the upper end of an arm 106 which is hinged at an intermediate point to a freely oscillating lever 206, while its opposite end is hinged to a link 306 which rotates integrally with a shaft 406.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 2, the folder 6 is made in the form of a comb and has segments separated by interstices, which pass through complementary slots separated by ribs provided in a horizontal sliding surface 405 which forms the lower edge 205 of the aperture 5.

[0022] With reference to Figure 3, the shaft 406 is driven in synchronization with the stepped drive of the forming wheel 1 by means of a transmission system which comprises a pair of gears 7, 8 which transfer the motion from a driven gear 9, which also drives the forming wheel 1, to a gear 110 keyed to a shaft 10 which rotates a cam 210. The cam 210 interacts with a pair of rollers 310 which are supported in an intermediate position by a sliding bar 410. The bar 410 is supported slidably longitudinally and radially with respect to the shaft 10 by its end 510 in the form of a slider which is mounted on a guide 610 carried on, and freely rotatable with respect to, the shaft 10. The opposite end of the bar 410 is hinged to a lever 11 which is fixed on and rotates integrally with the shaft 406 for driving the tangential folder 6.

[0023] Figures 10 to 13 show the stages of folding of the flaps 102, 202 of the wrapping sheet 2 for the formation of a tubular wrapping open at its ends, the axis of which is parallel to the axes of the cigarettes S and to the axis of the forming wheel. The lengths of the two flaps 102, 202 are such that, when folded against the side of the group of cigarettes coinciding with the open side of the containing compartment 101, the flaps overlap each other by a certain amount. In the starting condition shown in Fig. 10, the flaps 102, 202 extend along two horizontal radial walls 405, 505 which are made to be aligned flush with the folding corners 105, 205 of the aperture 5 and which form containing walls for the said flaps 102, 202. During the stage in which the containing compartment 101 remains in the feed station A, the tangential folder 6, which is in the withdrawn position with respect to the containing surface 405 and backward with reference to the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 (Fig. 10), begins the folding movement with which it moves in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 and substantially tangentially to the said wheel, in other words parallel to the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes S (Fig. 11). The flap 202 is therefore folded against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes S. The forming wheel 1 executes the advance step with a predetermined delay with respect to the advance movement of the tangential folder 6. This delay and the two speeds of advance of the forming wheel 1 and of the folding blade 6 are such that the folder 6 terminates its movement relative to the flap 202 of the wrapping sheet 2 in such a position that the front edge of the folder 6 is withdrawn by a certain distance with respect to the free front edge of the flap 202, forming a free front strip 302. The horizontal surface containing the front flap 102 of the wrapping sheet 2 reaches a position in which its corner 605 for folding the said flap 102 is partially superimposed on the previously folded rear flap 202, with a stationary cylindrical surface which is coaxial with the forming wheel 1 of a peripheral wall 305 and covers the radially external open side of the compartments 101 over a predetermined arc of the path of advance, in particular over the angular distance between the feed station A and the subsequent folding station P.

[0024] The corner 605 for folding the front flap 102 is disposed in a position aligned with and substantially directly adjacent to the edge of the open side of the containing compartments 101 in the feed station A.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 12, the reaching of a fixed relative position of the tangential folder 6 with respect to the rear flap 202 causes the folder 6 to approach the corner 605 for folding the front flap 102. The extension of the front superimposition strip 302 in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 and the folding movement of the folder 6 in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 are such that the tangential folder 6 reverses its movement at a predetermined minimum distance from the corner 605 for folding the front flap 102. When the said minimum distance is reached, the front superimposition strip 302 of the rear flap 202 has penetrated under the folding corner 605, which has superimposed on this flap, having folded it, an initial partial portion of the front flap 102. In these conditions, the folded rear flap 202 is kept in position by the front flap 102 which is partially superimposed on it and the folder 6 can completely depart from the position of the folding of the associated rear flap 202, returning to the withdrawn starting position for a new folding movement. In the meantime, the advance of the forming wheel 1 causes the completion of the folding of the front flap 102 on to the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes. During the step of advance and up to the subsequent folding station P the flap 10, which is in a position of superimposition on all the remaining flaps, is kept in the said folded position by the cylindrical surface of the wall 305.

[0026] Since the cigarettes, particularly those with filters, may have diameters which differ slightly between the filter and the cigarette, and the said two parts have different degrees of deformability, and in particular of compressibility, it is possible that, during the initial folding of the wrapping sheet 2 into a C shape in the passage across the aperture 5, the section of the group of cigarettes S in a plane parallel to the aperture 5 may assume a trapezoidal shape which then leads to the formation of a frustoconical tubular wrapping with different projections of the flaps 102, 202 at the two ends and a slightly helicoidal shape of the wrapping sheet 2 folded into a C shape, or the formation of pleats, etc.

[0027] To avoid such problems, the invention provides compensating means which in the illustrated embodiment consist of means of fine adjustment of the distance between the two opposite folding edges 105, 205, at least at one of the two ends. With reference to Fig. 2, the aperture 5 is formed by a fork-shaped end of the cylindrical wall 305 which extends to the feed station A and which forms the lateral walls and the folding corner 105 which is at the front with reference to the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1. The opposite folding corner 205 is formed by the front edge of a plate 405 which is fixed to the ends of the lateral branches of the fork. The two lateral branches of the fork are of different lengths, while the distance between the two folding corners 105, 205 at the two ends is adjusted by the interposition of a spacing washer 705 with a suitably adjusted thickness between the said plate and at least one of the branches of the fork. The spacing washer 705 may be replaced with washers of different thicknesses which may be fitted singly or in combination, or may be suitably reduced in thickness as required at the time of the adjustment of the device.

[0028] In the subsequent folding station P folding means are provided to close the open ends of the tubular wrapping formed in the feed station A and completed in the initial section of the step of advance of the containing compartment 101.

[0029] The tubular wrapping formed by the sheet 2 has tubular end portions projecting beyond the ends of the cigarettes aligned with each other at their ends and forming opposite pairs of wings orientated in the radial direction 402, 502 and in the tangential direction 602, 702 with respect to the forming wheel 1, these wings being joined together at the axial contact corners. With reference to Figs. 1, 4, 9, a pair of folding blocks 15 is provided in the folding station P on each side of the forming wheel 1 to fold the radially inner tangential wing 602 and the radially outer tangential wing 702. The folding blocks 15 are disposed outside the corresponding wing 602, 702 and have folding surfaces 115 each of which terminates in a free edge substantially coinciding with or directly adjacent to the folding line L1 of the corresponding wing 602, 702 which coincides with the edge of the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes. The said free edge advantageously consists of a sharp corner 215 of the folding block 15, while the surface 115 in the rest position is disposed so that it diverges in the radial direction of the forming wheel 1 from the wing 602, 702. By this means, the group of cigarettes wrapped in the tubular wrapping may be introduced between the four folding blocks 15 in the rest position, without the possibility of these blocks interfering with the projecting ends of the tubular wrapping, which might cause unintended and undesirable folding. The blocks 15 can oscillate about an axis 0 which coincides with the corner 215. For this purpose, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to 9, each folding block 15 is supported by a bar 16 which is parallel to the axis of oscillation 0 of the folding blocks 15. One end of the bar 16 is fixed to the end of a radial arm 17 which rotates integrally with a shaft 18. The folding block 15 is fixed to, and projects from, the opposite end of the bar 16, in such a way that the line joining the axis of the bar 16 and the corner 215 is axially aligned with the radial arm 17, while the corner 215 is made to coincide with the extension of the axis 0 of the shaft 18 (Fig. 8). The shafts 18 are supported so that they can rotate freely in a wall 119 of a casing 19, and their inner ends rotate integrally with a crank 118 which carries an eccentric roller 218 which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis 0 of the shaft 18, this roller engaging slidably in a transverse guide in the form of a link 20 which is movable in an alternating way in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension.

[0030] The transverse guides 20 are fitted so that they can be removed and adjusted with respect to their position by means of a securing device or clamps 120 on respectively two arms 121, which are perpendicular to the guides and parallel to each other and which form part of an articulated quadrilateral indicated overall by the number 21. The ends of the arms 121 are interconnected by oscillating levers 221, 321 which are parallel to each other and which are hinged so that they can oscillate freely about perpendicular central axes 521, 621 which are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the arms 121, 221. The articulated parallelogram 21 is driven with a reciprocating motion by means of a bar 22 which is hinged between a median radial extension 721 of the oscillating lever 321 and a radial projection 12" of a shaft 223 of what is known as an intermittent/oscillating drive device 23, for example of the type with a cylindrical and/or spheroidal cam 323 (such as the type marketed by Colombo Filippetti of Casirate d'Adda, BG).

[0031] This construction makes it possible to adapt the relative disposition of the folding blocks 15 to the various cigarette and pack formats in a relatively rapid and simple way. In this case, it is sufficient to dismount the plate 119 with the shafts 18 and the bars 16. These may easily be mounted on another plate, in which the journals for the shafts 18 are provided in different relative positions. The connection of the cranks 118 in the corresponding guides 20 and their adjustment is extremely rapid and simple.

[0032] A pair of opposing folding blades 25, 26 is provided on each side of the forming wheel 1 to fold the radial wings 402, 502 of the ends of the tubular wrapping projecting beyond the ends of the cigarettes S. The folding blades extend parallel and tangentially to the plane containing the ends of the cigarettes and can oscillate parallel to each other in the said tangential plane, alternately in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 and in the opposite direction on a path forming a secant to the wheel 1. Each folding blade 25, 26 has a transverse extension 125, 126 on the side facing the corresponding radial wing 402, 502. The trajectory of oscillation of the said folding blades 25, 26 is such that, during the stage in which the containing compartment 101 remains in the folding station P, the blades can assume a stand-by position (Fig. 15) in which they are swung into a position in which the extensions 125, 126 are aligned with the external surface of the corresponding side of the tubular wrapping, and in which they are in contact with the associated wings 402, 502, thus forming containing surfaces for the said wings 402, 502, as a substantial axial extension of the corresponding radial walls of the containing compartments 101. Each blade 25, 26 is carried on and projects from an arm 225, 226. The ends of the arms 225, 226 are fixed to and rotate integrally with associated driving shafts 27, 28. Each driving shaft 27, 28 carries the two corresponding folding blades 25, 26 on the two opposite sides of the forming wheel 1 (Fig. 4).

[0033] With reference to Fig. 5, the shafts 27, 28 are made to rotate in both directions and through angular distances which are variable according to the movement of the folding blades 25, 26 by means of a corresponding intermittent/oscillating drive device with parallel axes indicated overall by the numbers 30, 31, the cams 130, 131 of the two oscillators 30, 31 being mounted in axial alignment with each other on the same shaft 32, while each driving shaft 27, 28 of the folding blades 25, 26 rotates integrally with the roller support group 230, 231.

[0034] With reference to Fig. 1, to permit the presence of the radially outer folding blocks 15, the peripheral cylindrical wall 305 which surrounds the forming wheel 1 has an aperture, or rather an interruption 805 at the folding station P. Consequently, in order to keep the flaps 102, 202 on the radially outer side of the tubular wrapping in the folded position without interfering with the blocks 15, a retaining foot 33 is provided and is supported in such a way that it can be alternately brought closer to and distanced from the said side of the group of cigarettes wrapped in the tubular wrapping. The retaining foot 33 is slightly shorter than the axial extension of the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes S. The retaining foot 33 is carried at the end of a radial arm 134 of a system of articulated levers 34. The arm 34 is hinged, at an intermediate point and at its end opposite the foot 33, to a driven oscillating lever 234 and to an idle oscillating lever 334 respectively, the two levers being of identical length and having their axes of oscillation spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the axes of hinging to the radial arm 134. The lever 34 rotates integrally with a shaft 35. The foot 33 which has a contact surface orientated substantially parallel to the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes is therefore movable substantially alternately in the radial direction. The particular construction of the system of articulated levers makes it possible, in particular, to use the small components of motion in the direction transverse to the radial direction, in other words, in this case, parallel to the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, in the sense that the said movement takes place at the end of the movement of contact with the tubular wrapping and in the direction of folding of the upper flap 102.

[0035] The operation of the folding blocks 15, the folding blades 25, 26 and the retaining foot 33 in synchronization with the steps of advance of the forming wheel 1 and with each other is obtained by taking, in some suitable way, the motive power from a common motor or from a common power take-off. With reference to Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, the driving shaft 35 of the retaining foot 33 is connected mechanically to the driven gear 9 from which the motion is taken for the forming wheel 1 and for the tangential folder 6 in a way similar to the latter. From the system for transmitting the motion to the tangential folder 6, the motion is transferred by means of a further gear 36 to a gear 137 keyed to a shaft 37. The rotary motion of the shaft 37 is converted into an alternating rotary motion of the shaft 35 by means of a transmission similar to that described with reference to the tangential folder 6. The rotary motion is transmitted to the parallel-axis oscillators 30, 31 driving the folding blades 25, 26, via removable rotating means 38 which couple the common input shaft 32 of the said oscillators 30, 31 to the driving shaft 10 of the tangential folder 6, while the rotary drive motion of the oscillator 23 is transmitted to the input shaft 423 of this oscillator by means 39 which couple the input shaft to the driving shaft 37 of the retaining foot 33 so that it rotates with it.

[0036] Figures 14 to 24 show some stages of the folding of the radial and tangential wings 402, 502, 602, 702 which form the end portions of the tubular wrapping projecting beyond the ends of the group of cigarettes. In the folding station P, the containing compartment 101 coincides with the slot 805 in the peripheral cylindrical wall 305 and the retaining foot 33 is brought next to the folded and overlapping axial flaps 102, 202 of the wrapping sheet 2 to retain them in position.

[0037] The front folding blades 25 are in the rest position, in which they are aligned with the extensions 125 and the folding corner with respect to the corresponding front radial wall of the compartment 101, so that the front radial wings 402 are made to bear on the extensions 125 of the blades 25. The blocks 15 are in the rest position (Fig. 9), with the edge 215 of the folding surface 115 disposed on the folding line L1 of the said tangential wings 602, 702, while the folding surface 115 diverges from the said wings 602, 702. This state is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 20.

[0038] The rear folding blades 26 are then swung in the direction of advance of the forming wheel from a rest position in which they are remote from the wheel to a stand-by position in which they are aligned, similarly to the facing front folding blades 25, with the corresponding radial side of the containing compartment 101. In this way, the two radial wings 402, 502 projecting beyond the ends of the group of cigarettes are interposed between two associated containing walls, which prevent their bulging and/or deformation at the time of folding of the tangential wings 602, 702 which are joined as one piece with the first wings 402, 502 (see Figs. 15 and 22).

[0039] Subsequently (Figs. 16, 21 and 22), the blocks 15 are swung into the position in which they fold the associated tangential wings 602, 702 against the corresponding ends of the group of cigarettes S. In this state, since the tangential wings 602, 702 are joined along the axial corners to the radial wings 402, 502, a substantially triangular part 802 of the end of the radial wings 402, 502 is refolded, simultaneously with the folding of the tangential wings 602, 702, on to the inner side of the latter wings, while at the corner areas of the ends of the group of cigarettes, the wrapping material has to change from a substantially convex state to a substantially concave state. To prevent the wrapping sheet from tearing in the course of this change, during the folding of the tangential sides 602, 702, the corresponding corner area 315 of the folding block 15 is chamfered and/or rounded. This makes it possible to avoid tension on the wrapping sheet 2 in the said corner area and consequently in the change from the concave state to the convex state of the wrapping sheet which in some sense undergoes a movement, in particular a virtual rotation, around the corner 315. In this condition of folding, the radial sides 402' and 502' have a configuration in the form of an isosceles trapezium, whose longest base coincides with the folding line L2 of these sides; in other words, it is tangential to or coincident with the radial edge of the end of the group of cigarettes S.

[0040] Subsequently (see Figs. 17 and 23), the folding blocks 15 are swung back into the rest position, while the front folding blade 25 is activated which, with an angular movement tangential to the end of the group of cigarettes and in a direction opposite the direction of advance of the wheel, causes the front radial flap 402' to be folded on to the end of the group of cigarettes and superimposed on the previously folded tangential wings 602 and 702. The whole process takes place at a speed which is greater than that of the elastic return of the tangential wings to their unfolded or partially folded state, and which in any case is sufficient to prevent them from assuming a position which would adversely affect the correct folding of the sheet on to the ends of the group of cigarettes.

[0041] At least the perpendicular extension 125 of the front folding blade 25 is of trapezoidal form, substantially corresponding to the trapezoidal form of the radial flaps 402', 502'. This enables the wait times of the operation of the folding blade 5 to be reduced, since the blade can start somewhat in advance, when the folding blocks 15 have executed only a part of the return movement and are in a position of intermediate elevation in which the angle between the folding surface 115 and the end of the group of cigarettes is slightly greater than the angle between the inclined sides and the base of the trapezoidal extension 125 of the folding blade 25. This blade may therefore be inserted under the folding blocks 15 while they are still at an intermediate point of the return movement.

[0042] The rear folding blade 26 is operated before the start of the return movement of the front folding blade 25, and is swung in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1 towards the front folding blade 25 until it reaches a certain distance from it. When the said minimum approach distance has been reached, the front folding blade 25 starts the return movement with a speed substantially equal to that of the rear folding blade 26. The folding movement of the rear folding blade 26 and the return movement of the front blade 25, as well as the path of the facing folding edges of the said folding blades 25, 26 and the minimum distance between them, are set in such a way that, in the end areas of the corresponding folding and return movements, the rear folding blade 26 is superimposed, directly or with the interposition of the rear radial flap 502 in the folded state, at least partially on the front radial flap 402, while the front blade 25 is still superimposed on the front end of the group of cigarettes (Fig. 18). In these conditions, the front radial flap 402 is kept in position both by the associated folding blade 25 and by the opposite folding blade 26.

[0043] When this condition is reached, the forming wheel executes the step of advance, while the two folding blades 25, 26 end their simultaneous movement in the direction of advance of the forming wheel, with a certain delay with respect to the execution of the step of advance and at a speed lower than that of the step of advance of the compartments 101 (Fig. 19). The group of cigarettes is therefore moved with respect to the folding blades 25, 26 in the direction of advance of the wheel 1. The whole is adjusted and designed in such a way that, as shown in Fig. 19, the end of the rear and upper radial wing 502' which is free and faces the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1, is folded back and inserted under the folding edge of the front folding blade 25, while the rear blade 26 is still partially superimposed on an area on the opposite side of the said rear upper wing 502'. With reference to Fig. 24, the folding edge of the folding blade 25 has a chamfered or rounded guide portion 225 for this purpose.

[0044] In the subsequent arc of the path of the second step of advance, the forming wheel 1 is associated with an extension of the peripheral coaxial cylindrical wall 305' to keep the axial flaps 102, 202 folded, and with a sliding surface 140 of a lateral wall 40 on each side of the forming wheel 1, to keep the wings 402, 502, 602, 702 folded on the ends of the group of cigarettes, the upper rear wings 502' of the ends of the packaged group of cigarettes sliding against the direction of the fold along the said surfaces (see Fig. 24). To permit the passage from the area of the folding blade 25 to the stationary surface 140 without letting the wings 502' catch on the facing leading edge of the sliding surface 140, the front folding blades 25 and the leading portions of the lateral walls 40 forming the surfaces 140 facing these blades have complementary recesses or thinner areas for reciprocal engagement 425, 240 on the sides facing each other. The whole being such that, at the end of the movement in the direction of advance of the forming wheel 1, the folding blades 25 are engaged with the walls 40 whose inner surfaces are substantially flush with the inner surfaces of the portions 525 of the blades 25 on the side of the folding edge. The ends of the surfaces 140 directly adjacent to the inner surfaces 525 of the folding blades 25 may advantageously be made in the form of inclined guide surfaces 340 so that the ends of the said surfaces are lower than the surfaces 525 of the folding blades 25 and thus further reduce the risk of catching the free front edge of the upper rear wing 502 in the opposite direction to the fold.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated, the walls 40, in other words the surfaces 140 and the wall 305', extend as far as the discharge station E on the side diametrically opposite the feed station A. However, Figure 1 shows that the wrapping is perfectly formed when it leaves the second folding station P, and therefore the discharge station may be disposed at the end of the second step of advance of the forming wheel 1.

[0046] The folding procedure according to the preceding description, consisting in the operation in rapid succession of the folding means 6, 605, 15, 25, 26 at a speed easily higher than the speed of recovery, in other words of the elastic return of the folding flaps or wings 102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702 in the folded position or in a position of intermediate folding, is not applicable to all wrapping materials. In particular, when sheets of polypropylene or of plastic material with a similar elastic behaviour or resistance to folding are used as wrapping materials, the operating speed required, particularly for the operation of the folding blocks 15 and of the front folding blade 25, may become excessively high. In order to avoid such problems, the invention provides a variant shown in Figs. 25 to 28. In this variant, the edge 215 of the folding blocks 15 about which the blocks 15 oscillate does not have a length substantially identical to the side and to the tangential wing 602, 702, as in the preceding example shown in Figs. 14 to 24, but, conversely, the edge 215' and consequently the blocks 15' are made shorter than the corresponding tangential wings 602, 702 on the side facing the front folding blade 25 and leave a strip 902 free on which an initial part of the radial wing 402 may be superimposed before the start of the return movement of the blocks 15. This is done by operating with a certain predetermined degree of advance of the front folding blade 25 for the execution of the folding movement with respect to the start of the return movement of the folding blocks 15. The dimensions of the peripheral strip 902, and the advance, as well as the speed of operation of the blocks 15' and of the front folding blade 25 are such that, when the strip has been overlapped by an amount sufficient to keep the tangential wings 602, 702 temporarily in the folded position, and at a predetermined minimum distance from the blocks 15 (Fig. 26), the blocks start their return movement to the rest position at a speed such that interference with the folding blade 25 is avoided.

Claims

1. Process for packaging products, particularly cylindrical products such as cigarettes, or the like, in a wrapping sheet, in which the following stages are provided:

- forming a group of cigarettes (S) with a predetermined number and order corresponding to those in the packed state;

- combining the group of cigarettes (S) with a wrapping sheet (2) in a predetermined relative position and inserting them into a containing compartment (101) with simultaneous folding of the wrapping sheet (2) into a "C" shape around the sides of the group of cigarettes (S) associated with the closed sides of the containing compartment (101);

- forming a tubular wrapping by folding and retaining in position the flaps (102, 202) of the wrapping sheet (2) on that side of the group of cigarettes at the open entrance side of the containing compartment (101);

- subsequently closing the open ends of the tubular wrapping by folding wings (402, 502, 602, 702) formed by the terminal portions at the ends of the tubular wrapping projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the group of cigarettes,

- in which the complete formation of the pack, in other words the complete folding of the wrapping sheet (2) around the ordered group of cigarettes (S), is executed in two stations (A, P) only, in other words in the station (A) where the group of cigarettes (S) and the wrapping sheet (2) are fed into the containing compartment (101) and in only one subsequent folding station (P) formed by one of the stations following the feed station, the pack being completely formed at the time of the step of advance for departure from the said folding station (P), the forming of the open tubular wrapping being executed substantially in the feed station (A) and completed during the step of advance, in other words in the initial portion of the step of advance, while the closing on the ends of the tubular wrapping is completed simultaneously for both opposite ends of the tubular wrapping in the folding station (P) and in the next step of advance, the completely formed wrapping is simply kept closed until the discharge station (E) is reached, characterized in that provision is made to leave free at least one peripheral strip (302, 902) for superimposition of an upper flap or wing on the lower flaps or wings (202, 402, 602, 702), this peripheral superimposition strip (302, 902) being provided on a directly adjacent side next to or facing the subsequent upper flap or wing (102, 402, 502), in other words a part of the flap which is folded into position first, the lower wing or flap (202, 402, 602, 702) being kept in the folded position only until the upper folding wing or flap (102, 402, 502) is at least partially superimposed on to the free superimposition strip (302, 902).

2. Device for the application of the process according to claim 1, which comprises:

- means for forming an ordered group of cigarettes;

- means (4, 203) for feeding the said group together with a wrapping sheet (2) into a containing compartment (101) open at least at one entry side and at two sides transverse with respect to it;

- means (1, 201) for conveying the said containing compartment (101);

- movable and/or stationary folding means (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) which are distributed along the path of the compartment (101) for containing the group of cigarettes to be packed and the associated wrapping sheet (2), these means (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) being designed to fold the wrapping sheet (2) around the group of cigarettes to form a first tubular wrapping and subsequently to close the open ends of the said tubular wrapping;

- the movable and/or stationary folding means (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) being provided only in the feed station (A) and in only one of the subsequent stations, which is a folding station (P) for completing the packaging wrapper, and which is preferably the station immediately following the feed station (A), characterized in that the folding means (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) are shaped in such a way with respect to the flaps or wings (102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702) and/or are operated in such a way that they stop at a certain distance from a free edge of the said flaps or wings, (202, 402, 502, 602, 702), leaving free a partial or complete strip (302, 902) for the superimposition of the subsequent flap or wing (102, 402, 502) and of the corresponding folder (605, 25, 26), on that side which is reached first by the folder (605, 25, 26) of the said subsequent wing or flap (102, 402, 502), the folding means (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) and the operating and synchronizing means being made in such a way that the folding means (6, 15, 25) of the lower wings or flaps (202, 602, 702, 402) and those (605, 25, 26) of the wings and flaps directly above (102, 402, 502) do not interfere with each other, while means are provided which advance the start of the folding movement of the folding means (605, 25, 26) of the upper wing or flap (102, 402, 502) with respect to the return movement of the folder (6, 15, 25) of the flap or wing immediately below (202, 602, 702, 402), this advance corresponding to the movement required for the superimposition of the said upper flap or wing (102, 402, 502) on the free peripheral superimposition strip (302, 902) provided on the lower flap or wing (202, 602, 702, 402).

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the folding means (15, 25, 26) are made in such a way that they can be brought into a stand-by position directly adjacent to the wings or flaps (402, 502, 602, 702) of the wrapping sheet (2) which have not yet been folded, or are brought into this position during the idle or waiting time of these or of other folders, and with the folding edge (225, 215) substantially aligned and/or coinciding with the predetermined folding line (L1, L2).

4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the wrapping sheet (2) is wrapped in a tubular form around the group of cigarettes (S), along an axis perpendicular to the direction of transport, while the open side of the containing compartment (101) is orientated parallel to the direction of transport or at a tangent and/or secant to the said direction of transport, at least one stationary folder (605) and at least one tangential movable folder (6) being provided in the station (A) for feeding the group of cigarettes into the containing compartment (101), and being disposed opposite each other with respect to the advance of the containing compartment (101), the tangential movable folder (6) being capable of being driven alternately forwards and backwards, in the direction of advance of the containing compartment (101) or in a direction tangential to the path of advance and transverse with respect to the flap (102, 202) of the wrapping (2) to be folded, with the provision of means of synchronized activation of the reciprocating motion of the tangential folder (6) with the advance of the containing compartment (101) and means of limiting the advance and return movements of the movable folder (6), these means being made in such a way that the movement of advance takes place in the direction of advance of the containing compartment (101), and is advanced to such an extent with respect to the step of advance of the said compartment (101) that the folder (6) assumes a stable relative position with respect to the free edge of the associated folded flap (202), forming a front peripheral strip (302) which is transverse with respect to the step of advance of the containing compartment (101), this strip (302) being designed to be partially inserted for a certain distance under the stationary folder (605) and under the part of the flap (102) folded by it, before the said movable folder (6) starts its return movement in the direction opposite the direction of advance of the containing compartment (101).

5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, in the folding station (P), movable means (15, 25, 26) for folding the projecting end portions of the tubular wrapping are provided for each open end of the tubular wrapping, the end portions comprising at least one pair of first wings (602, 702) opposite each other and orientated tangentially to the direction of advance or in the direction of advance of the containing compartment (101), and at least two further, second wings (402, 502) opposite each other, joined at their ends to the two tangential wings (602, 702) and orientated transversely, preferably perpendicularly, with respect to the said tangential wings (602, 702) and to the direction of advance of the containing compartment (101), the movable folders (15) of the first wings consisting of a surface (115) which can oscillate about an axis (0) coinciding with a free edge (215) of the said surface and with the folding line (L1), in other words with the edge of the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, from a position in which it is substantially aligned with and externally superimposed on the said wings (602, 702) in the unfolded state to the folded position of the wings, in which the folding surface (115) which can oscillate is turned over against the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, and the folders (25, 26) of the second wings (402, 502) consisting of two blades opposite each other and with a folding edge movable to a position coinciding with or adjacent to the folding line (L2) of the said second wings (602, 702), in other words with the corresponding edge of the side of the group of cigarettes, these folding blades (25, 26) being capable of being driven with a sliding motion parallel and tangential to the plane containing the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, one blade being driven in a direction opposite that of the other, and the blades being driven alternately, so that each carries out a folding movement in which the folding blades are at least partially superimposed on the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes and a return movement to the rest and/or stand-by position.

6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the folders (605, 15, 25) of the tangential wings (60, 70) and of the front, with reference to the advance of the containing compartment (101), transverse and axial wings (102, 402), assume a rest position with respect to the containing compartment (101) and to the wings (102, 402, 602, 702) corresponding to the stand-by position, in which the folders (605, 15, 25) are substantially directly adjacent to the corresponding wings and to the folding lines (L1, L2) in the initial position of the active folding movement.

7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the folders (15) of the wings (602, 702) tangential or parallel to the direction of advance of the containing compartments (101) consist of surfaces (115) of blocks (15) which oscillate about axes (0) coinciding with a peripheral edge (215) of the surfaces (115) and with the folding line (L1) of the said wings (602, 702), the said blocks (15) being supported on and projecting from the side substantially opposite that of the oscillation edge (215), so that the surfaces (115) are brought alternately into a stand-by position adjacent to the wings (602, 702) in the unfolded state and into a folding position in which they are turned over against the facing side of the group of cigarettes.

8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that, in the stand-by position, the folding surfaces (115) are orientated so that they diverge outwardly and towards the end opposite the folding line (L1) with respect to the position of the associated wings (602, 702) in the unfolded state.

9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, in the folding station P, the folding means (15 and 25) of the tangential wings (60, 702) and of the front transverse wings (402) on both ends of the group of cigarettes are disposed in the stand-by position, and the group of cigarettes wrapped in the tubular wrapping and contained in the compartment (1) is inserted with the lines corresponding to the folding lines (L1, L2) in a predetermined position of the configuration of the folders (15, 25) with the step of advance from the feed station to the folding station.

10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the edge (215) of the oscillating folding surface (115) which is substantially coincident with or directly adjacent to the folding line (L1) of the corresponding tangential wings (602, 702) has a length substantially equal to that of the said line (L1), while the corner areas of the folding surface are chamfered or rounded (315) in the end area of the folding line (L1).

11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the oscillating folding surface (115) of the tangential wings (602, 702) and the free edge (215) coinciding with the folding lines (L1) and with the axis of oscillation (0) are formed by the surface facing the said wings and by the corresponding edge of a block (15) with a substantially trapezoidal transverse section, while the corner areas of the block (15) at the ends of the edge (15) are flattened, chamfered or rounded (315).

12. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 11, characterized in that blocks (15) are supported radially with each projecting from a bar (16) which is parallel to the axis (0) of a driving shaft (18) and which is supported rotatably about the said axis (0) by means of a radial arm (17) axially aligned with the line running between the edge (15) of the block (15) coinciding with the folding line (L1) of the tangential wing (602, 702) and the axis of the bar (16), while the driving shaft (18) is made to rotate in an alternating way and through a predetermined angle by means of a cranked end (118, 218) engaged with driving means (20, 121) providing an alternating traversing motion in the radial direction of the driving shaft (18).

13. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the driving shafts (18) of the folding blocks (15) of the corresponding tangential wings (602, 702) are mounted in a removable plate (119) with their axes (0) coinciding with the extensions of the folding lines (L1) of the associated tangential wings (602, 702), while so as to adapt to the different dimensions of the cigarettes and of the groups of cigarettes, a plurality of plates (119) is provided, each having a corresponding relative disposition of the supports for the rotation of the shafts (18), the means of transmission (118, 218, 20) and conversion of the alternating traversing motion into an alternating rotary motion of the shafts (18) and into an alternating oscillatory motion of the folding blocks (15) being adjustable to match the new folding movements, the end of travel positions and the synchronization of the folding blocks (15) to each other and to the other operating units.

14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 13, characterized in that, at least on the side facing the front folding blade (25), the folding blocks (15) are made slightly shorter than the associated folding line (L1), by an amount such that a strip (902) is left free for the partial superimposition of the subsequent facing transverse wing (402') by the advance of the folding movement of the corresponding folding blade (25) with respect to the return movement of the folding blocks (15) to the rest position, without any collision between the folding blade (25) and the folding blocks (15).

15. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 14, characterized in that, before the operation of the folding blocks (15) for the tangential wings (602, 702) the front and rear folding blades (5, 6) are brought into the stand-by position, with the folding edge directly adjacent to and/or substantially coinciding with the folding lines (L2) of the transverse wings (402', 502'), the said folding blades being provided with transverse extensions (125, 126) which lie side by side with each other from the outside parallel to the corresponding transverse wings (402', 502'), forming a containing channel in the unfolded position of the said transverse wings at the time of folding of the tangential wings (602, 702) and of folding on to these of the outer triangular parts (702) of the transverse wings (402).

16. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the extension (125) of at least the folding blade (25) is of trapezoidal shape, substantially corresponding to the trapezoidal shape assumed by the transverse wings (402', 502') after the folding of the tangential wings (602, 702), while the said folding blade (25) and the folding blocks (15) are synchronized with each other in such a way that the folding blade (25) reaches the folding blocks (15) when these blocks are in an intermediate return position with the folding surface (115) which has a smaller inclination with respect to the perpendicular at the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes than that of the inclined sides of the extensions (125) of the folding blades (25).

17. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the containing compartments (101) are disposed in such a way that the group of cigarettes and the tubular wrapping are orientated with the ends parallel to the direction of transport, while the folding blades (25, 26) are made so that they can be moved tangentially to the ends of the group of cigarettes, the containing compartments (101) being open at the said ends, while the front folding blades (25) and the rear blades (26) are fitted in pairs on a common shaft (27, 28) for the execution of opposing folding and return movements with an alternating oscillatory motion, the whole being designed in such a way that, in the stand-by position, the folding blades (5, 26) are disposed with the folding edges completely parallel and/or coinciding with the folding lines (L2) of the associated transverse wings (402, 502), while during the folding movement the folding edge assumes an inclined position with respect to the direction of the folding line (L2) and to the folding edge of the facing folding blade (25, 26), in such a way that each of the opposing folding blades (25, 26) can be superimposed on the wing (502', 402') associated with the opposite folding blade (26, 25) before this blade has released the said associated wing (502', 402'), a minimum distance for non-collision and/or non-interference between the said folding blades (25, 26) being maintained by the execution of alternating oscillatory movements in the same direction and substantially at the same speed and/or in opposite directions.

18. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 17, characterized in that between the feed station (A) and the folding station (P) a wall is provided for retaining the flaps (102, 202) of the tubular wrapping superimposed on each other in the position in which they are folded on to the corresponding side of the group of cigarettes, this side coinciding with the open side of the containing compartment (101) and being orientated parallel or tangentially to the direction of transport, the side of the group of cigarettes sliding against the said stationary wall (305) in the direction of folding of the upper flap (102), and the said wall extending tangentially to the path of the open side of the containing compartment (101) and in the direction of transport.

19. Device according to Claim 18, characterized in that the wall (305) for superimposition on the open sides tangential to the direction of transport of the containing compartments (101) has an aperture (805) in the folding station (P), while it extends (305') beyond this station to the discharge station (E), the folding station (P) being provided with removable means (33) for retaining the flaps (102, 202) on the open side of the containing compartment (101), it being possible to operate these means in synchronization with the steps of advance of the containing compartments (101).

20. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 19, characterized in that, on the transport path between the folding station (P) and the discharge station (E), for each end of the group of cigarettes, a wall (40) is provided with a surface (140) for retaining in position the wings (402, 502, 602, 702) of the wrapping folded on to the said ends of the group of cigarettes, the said wrapped ends of the group of cigarettes sliding along the said surface.

21. Device according to Claim 20, characterized in that the upper wing at each end of the group of cigarettes is formed by the rear transverse wing (502') which, in the position in which it is folded on to the underlying wings (402, 602, 702), is orientated with its free front edge in the direction of advance, while the front folding blade (25) forms a movable extension (525) of the wall (40, 140), a portion of the surface (525) facing the group of cigarettes and lying along the folding edge aligned with the plane of the stationary sliding surface (140), and the facing ends of the front folding blade (25) and of the wall (40) being provided with complementary recesses or thinner areas (240, 425) for mutual engagement, for the positioning of the folding blade (25) in a position in which its inner surface is directly adjacent to the sliding surface (140, 525).

22. Device according to Claim 21, characterized in that the folding edge of the folding blade (25) is made rounded or chamfered (225), while the leading portion directly adjacent to the inner surface (525) of the folding blade (25) is made in the form of a guide surface (340), in other words becomes thinner in the form of a wedge towards its end, which is recessed with a step from the adjacent inner surface (525) of the folding blade (25).

23. Device according to Claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the means of operating the folding blades (25, 26) comprise means (30, 31) of synchronizing the motion of the folding blades (25, 26) with each other and with the folding blocks (15) and with the steps of advance of the forming wheel (1), the said synchronizing means being made in such a way that the front folding blade (25) executes the folding movement first and the folding blade (26) executes the folding movement with a certain advance with respect to the start of the return movement of the front folding blade (25), being brought to a certain minimum distance from the front folding blade (25), at least when both folding blades are near the end of travel position of the return movement in the case of the front folding blade (25) and of the folding movement in the case of the folding blade (26), while the forming wheel (1) executes the step of advance with a certain advance with respect to the moment at which the two folding blades (25, 26) reach the end of travel positions of the return and folding movements.

24. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 23, characterized in that the motion of the tangential folder (6), the folding blocks (15), the folding blades (25, 26) and the retaining foot (33) is taken by means of a mechanical transmission system (7, 8, 10, 36, 37, 110, 137, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 406, 35) from the same power take-off (9) as for the drive to the forming wheel (1).

25. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 24, characterized in that the conveyor (1) consists of a forming wheel provided with at least one, and preferably more, radial peripheral containing compartments (101) which are provided at equal angular intervals, with their tangential open sides disposed at the periphery of the forming wheel, the tubular wrapping being formed by wrapping the wrapping sheet about an axis parallel to the axis of the forming wheel, and the sides of the compartments (101) on the sides of the wheel being made open so that the end portions of the tubular wrapping forming the closing wings (402, 502, 602, 702) of the said ends of the tubular wrapping project from the compartments.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren für das Verpacken von Produkten, insbesondere von zylindrischen Produkten, wie Zigaretten oder ähnlichem, in einem Verpackungsblatt, bei dem die folgenden Schritte vorgesehen sind:

- Bilden einer Gruppe von Zigaretten (S) mit einer vorbestimmten Anzahl und Anordnung entsprechend zu denjenigen in dem verpackten Zustand;

- Kombinieren der Gruppe von Zigaretten (S) mit einem Verpackungsblatt (2) in einer vorbestimmten relativen Position und Einfügen desselben in ein Behälterabteil (101) bei einem simultanen Falten des Verpackungsblattes (2) in eine "C" Form um die Seiten der Gruppe von Zigaretten (S), die mit den geschlossenen Seiten des Behälterabteils (101) verbunden sind;

- Bilden einer rohrförmigen Verpackung durch Falten und in Position halten der Klappen (102, 202) des Verpackungsblattes (2) auf der Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten an der offenen Eingangsseite des Behälterabteils (101);

- nachfolgendes Schließen der offenen Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung durch Falten der Flügel (402, 502, 602, 702), die durch die Abschlußabschnitte an den Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung gebildet sind, die über die korrespondierenden Seiten der Gruppe von Zigaretten hervorstehen;

- wobei die vollständige Bildung der Packung, mit anderen Worten das vollständige Falten des Verpackungsblattes (2) um die geordnete Gruppe von Zigaretten (S) nur in zwei Stationen (A, P) ausgeführt wird, mit anderen Worten in der Station (A), wo die Gruppe von Zigaretten (S) und das Verpackungsblatt (2) in das Behälterabteil (101) eingeführt werden, und in nur einer nachfolgenden Faltstation (P), die durch eine der Stationen gebildet ist, die der Zuführstation folgt, wobei die Packung vollständig zu der Zeit des Vorschubes für das Verlassen der Faltstation (P) gebildet wird, das Bilden der offenen rohrförmigen Verpackung im wesentlichen in der Zuführstation (A) ausgeführt wird und während des Vorschubschrittes vervollständigt wird, mit anderen Worten in dem ursprünglichen Abschnitt des Vorschubschrittes, während das Schließen der Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung gleichzeitig für beide gegenüberliegenen Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung in der Faltstation (P) und in dem nächsten Schritt des Vorschubes vervollständigt wird, wobei die vollständig gebildete Verpackung einfach geschlossen gehalten wird, bis die Entladestation (E) erreicht wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß Vorsorge getroffen ist, um mindestens einen Umfangsstreifen (302, 902) für das Übereinanderlegen einer oberen Klappe oder eines oberen Flügels auf die unteren Klappen oder die unteren Flügel (202, 402, 602, 702) frei zu lassen, wobei dieser Umfangsstreifen (302, 902) für das Übereinanderlegen auf einer direkt benachbarten Seite zu oder zugewandten Seite zu der nachfolgenden oberen Klappe oder Flügel (102, 402, 502) vorgesehen ist, mit anderen Worten ein Teil der Klappe wird zuerst in Position gefaltet, wobei der untere Flügel oder die untere Klappe (202, 402, 602, 702) in der gefalteten Position gehalten wird, nur bis der obere gefaltete Flügel oder Klappe (102, 402, 502) mindestens teilweise auf dem freien Streifen (302, 902) für das Übereinanderlegen darüber gelegt ist.

2. Vorrichtung für die Anwendung des Verfahrens nach Anspruch 1, welche umfaßt:

- eine Einrichtung für das Bilden einer geordneten Gruppe von Zigaretten;

- eine Einrichtung (4, 203) für das Zuführen der Gruppe zusammen mit einem Verpackungsblatt (2) in ein Behälterabteil (101), das zumindest an einer Eingangsseite und an zwei Seiten quer dazu offen ist;

- eine Einrichtung (1, 201) für das Fördern des Behälterabteils (101);

- bewegliche und/oder stationäre Falteinrichtungen (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26), die entlang des Weges des Abteils (101) für das Aufnehmen der zu verpackenden Gruppe von Zigaretten und des verbundenen Verpackungsblattes (2) verteilt sind, wobei diese Einrichtungen (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) ausgestaltet sind, um das Verpackungsblatt (2) um die Gruppe von Zigaretten zu falten, um eine erste rohrförmige Verpackung zu bilden und nachfolgend die offenen Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung zu schließen;

- wobei die beweglichen und/oder stationären Falteinrichtungen (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) nur in der Zuführstation (A) und in nur einer der nachfolgenden Stationen vorgesehen sind, die eine Faltstation (P) für das Vervollständigen der Verpackung ist, und welche vorzugsweise die Station ist, die der Zuführstation (A) sofort folgt,
   dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
   die Falteinrichtungen (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) auf eine solche Weise hinsichtlich zu den Klappen oder Flügeln (102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702) geformt sind und/oder auf eine solche Weise betätigt werden, daß sie einen gewissen Abstand von einer freien Kante der Klappen oder Flügel (202, 402, 502, 602, 702) stoppen, einen Teil- oder vollständigen Streifen (302, 902) für das Übereinanderlegen der nachfolgenden Klappe oder des Flügels (102, 402, 502) und der korrespondierenden Falteinrichtung (605, 25, 26) auf der Seite frei lassen, die durch die Falteinrichtung (605, 25, 26) des nachfolgenden Flügels oder Klappe (102, 402, 502) zuerst erreicht wird, wobei die Falteinrichtungen (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) und die Betätigungs- und Synchronisationseinrichtungen auf eine solche Weise gemacht sind, daß die Falteinrichtungen (6, 15, 25) der unteren Flügel oder Klappen (202, 602, 702, 402) und diejenigen (605, 25, 26) der Flügel oder Klappen direkt darüber (102, 402, 502) sich einander nicht stören, wobei Mittel vorgesehen sind, die den Start der faltenden Bewegung der Falteinrichtungen (605, 25, 26) des oberen Flügels oder der Klappe (102, 402, 502) hinsichtlich zu der Rückholbewegung der Falteinrichtungen (6, 15, 25) der Klappe oder des Flügels direkt darunter (202, 602, 702, 402) vorwärts bringen, wobei dieser Vorschub mit der Bewegung korrespondiert, die für das Übereinanderlegen der oberen Klappe oder des Flügels (102, 402, 502) auf den freien Umfangsstreifen (302, 902) für das Übereinanderlegen erforderlich ist, der an der unteren Klappe oder dem Flügel (202, 6702, 702, 402) vorgesehen ist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Falteinrichtungen (15, 25, 26) auf eine solche Weise gemacht sind, daß sie in eine stand-by Position direkt benachbart zu den Flügeln oder Klappen (402, 502, 602, 702) des Verpackungsblattes (2) gebracht werden können, die noch nicht gefaltet sind, oder in diese Position während der Leerlaufzeit oder Wartezeit von diesen oder anderen Falteinrichtungen gebracht werden, wobei die Faltkanten (225, 215) im wesentlichen ausgerichtet sind zu und/oder übereinstimmen mit der vorbestimmten Faltlinie (L1, L2).

4. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verpackungsblatt (2) in eine rohrförmige Form um die Gruppe von Zigaretten (S) entlang einer Achse senkrecht zu der Richtung des Transportes verpackt wird, während die offene Seite des Behälterabteils (101) parallel zu der Richtung des Transportes oder zu einer Tangente und/oder Sekante zu der Richtung des Transportes orientiert ist, wobei mindestens eine stationäre Falteinrichtung (605) und mindestens eine tangential bewegliche Falteinrichtung (6) in der Station für das Zuführen der Gruppe von Zigaretten in das Behälterabteil (101) vorgesehen sind und einander hinsichtlich zu dem Vorschub des Behälterabteils (101) gegenüber angeordnet sind, wobei die tangential bewegliche Falteinrichtung (6) fähig ist, alternativ vorwärts und rückwärts in die Richtung des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) oder in eine Richtung tangential zu dem Weg des Vorschubs und senkrecht hinsichtlich zu der Klappe (102, 202) der zu faltenden Verpackung (2) mit der Vorsehung von Mitteln zur synchronisierten Aktivierung der hin- und hergehenden Bewegung der tangentialen Falteinrichtung (6) mit dem Vorschub des Behälterabteils (101) und von Mitteln für das Begrenzen des Vorschubs und der Rücksetzbewegungen der beweglichen Falteinrichtung (6) angetrieben zu werden, wobei diese Mittel auf eine solche Weise gemacht sind, daß die Bewegung des Vorschubs in die Richtung des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) stattfindet, und in einem solchen Maß hinsichtlich zu dem Schritt des Vorschubs des Abteils (101) vorwärts gebracht wird, daß die Falteinrichtung (6) eine stabile relative Position hinsichtlich zu der freien Kante der verbundenen gefalteten Klappe (202) einnimmt, die einen vorderen Umfangsstreifen (302) bildet, der senkrecht hinsichtlich zu dem Schritt des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) angeordnet ist, wobei dieser Streifen (302) ausgestaltet ist, um teilweise um einen gewissen Abstand unter der stationären Falteinrichtung (605) und unter den Teil der dadurch gefalteten Klappe (102) eingefügt zu werden bevor die bewegliche Falteinrichtung (6) ihre Rücksetzbewegung in die Richtung gegenüber zu der Richtung des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) beginnt.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in der Faltstation (P) bewegliche Mittel (15, 25, 26) für das Falten der hervorstehenden Endabschnitte der rohrförmigen Verpackung für jedes offene Ende der rohrförmigen Verpackung vorgesehen sind, wobei die Endabschnitte mindestens ein Paar von ersten Flügeln (602, 702) gegenüber voneinander und tangential zu der Richtung des Vorschubs oder in die Richtung des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) orientiert sind und mindestens zwei weitere zweite Flügel (402, 502) gegenüber voneinander umfassen, die an ihren Enden mit den zwei tangentialen Flügeln (602, 702) verbunden sind und quer, vorzugsweise senkrecht, hinsichtlich zu den tangentialen Flügeln (602, 702) und zu der Richtung des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) orientiert sind, wobei die beweglichen Falteinrichtungen (15) der ersten Flügel aus einer Oberfläche (115) bestehen, die um eine Achse (0) oszillieren kann, die mit einer freien Kante (215) der Oberfläche und mit der Faltlinie (L1) übereinstimmt, mit anderen Worten mit der Kante der korrespondierenden Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten, von einer Position in der sie im wesentlichen mit den Flügeln (602, 702) ausgerichtet ist und extern auf die Flügel (602, 702) in dem ungefalteten Zustand gelegt ist, zu der gefalteten Position der Flügel, in der die Faltoberfläche (115), die oszillieren kann, gegen die korrespondierende Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten gedreht wird, und die Falteinrichtungen (25, 26) der zweiten Flügel (402, 502), die aus zwei Blättern gegenüber voneinander bestehen und mit einer Faltkante, die zu einer Position bewegbar ist, die mit der Faltlinie (L2) der zweiten Flügel (602, 702) übereinstimmt oder benachbart zu ihr ist, versehen ist, mit anderen Worten mit der korrespondierenden Kante der Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten, wobei diese Faltblätter (25, 26) fähig sind, mit einer gleitenden Bewegung parallel und tangential zu der Ebene angetrieben zu werden, die die korrespondierende Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten enthält, wobei ein Blatt in eine Richtung gegenüber zu der anderen angetrieben ist und die Blätter wechselnd angetrieben werden, so daß jedes eine Faltbewegung ausführt, bei der die Faltblätter zumindest teilweise auf der korrespondierenden Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten gelegt werden, und eine Rückholbewegung zu Ruhe- und/oder stand-by Position ausführt.

6. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 5 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Falteinrichtungen (605, 15, 25) der tangentialen Flügel (60, 70) und der Vorderseite mit Bezug auf den Vorschub der Behälterabteils (101), und der senkrechten und axialen Flügel (102, 402) eine Ruheposition hinsichtlich zu dem Behälterabteil (101) und zu den Flügeln (102, 402, 602, 702) entsprechend zu der stand-by Position einnehmen, bei der die Falteinrichtungen (605, 15, 25) im wesentlichen direkt benachbart zu den korrespondierenden Flügeln und zu den Faltlinien (L1, L2) in der ursprünglichen Position der aktiven Faltbewegung sind.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Falteinrichtungen (15) der Flügel (602, 702) tangential oder parallel zu der Richtung des Vorschubs der Behälterabteils (101) aus Oberflächen (115) von Blöcken (15) bestehen, die um Achsen (0) oszillieren, die mit einer Umfangskante (215) der Oberflächen (115) und mit der Faltlinie (L1) der Flügel (602, 702) übereinstimmen, wobei die Blöcke (15) von der Seite im wesentlichen gegenüber zu der zu der oszillierenden Kante (215) abgestützt sind und von ihr hervorstehen, so daß die Oberflächen (115) wechselnd in eine stand-by Position benachbart zu den Flügeln (602, 702) in dem ungefalteten Zustand und in eine Faltposition gebracht werden, in der sie gegen die zugewandte Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten gedreht sind.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in der stand-by Position die Faltoberflächen (115) so orientiert sind, daß sie nach außen und zu dem Ende gegenüber der Faltlinie (L1) hinsichtlich zu der Position der verbundenen Flügel (602, 702) in dem ungefalteten Zustand divergieren.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in der Faltstation P die Faltmittel (15 und 25) der tangentialen Flügel (60, 702) und der vorderen Querflügel (402) an beiden Enden der Gruppe von Zigaretten in der stand-by Position angeordnet sind, und die Gruppe von Zigaretten, die in der rohrförmigen Verpackung verpackt ist und in dem Abteil (1) enthalten ist, mit den Linien entsprechend zu den Faltlinien (L1, L2) in eine vorbestimmte Position der Konfiguration der Falteinrichtungen (15, 25) bei dem Schritt des Vorschubs von der Zuführstation zu der Faltstation eingefügt wird.

10. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Kante (215) der oszillierenden Faltoberfläche (115), die im wesentlichen mit der Faltlinie (L1) der korrespondierenden Flügel (602, 702) übereinstimmt oder direkt benachbart zu ihr ist, eine Länge hat, die im wesentlichen gleich zu derjenigen der Linie (L1) ist, während die Eckbereiche der Faltflächen abgeschrägt oder gerundet (315) in dem Bereich der Faltlinie (L1) sind.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die oszillierende Faltoberfläche (115) der tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) und die freie Kante (215), die mit den Faltlinien (L1) und mit der Achse der Oszillation (0) übereinstimmt, durch die Oberfläche, die den Flügeln zugewandt ist, und durch die korrespondierenden Kanten eines Blockes (15) mit einem im wesentlichen trapezoiden Querabschnitt gebildet sind, während die Eckbereiche des Blockes (15) an den Enden der Kante (15) abgeflacht, abgeschrägt oder gerundet sind.

12. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Blöcke (15) radial abgestützt sind, wobei jeder von einem Balken (16) hervorsteht, der parallel zu der Achse (0) des Antriebsschaftes (18) ist, und der drehbar um die Achse (0) mittels eines radialen Armes (17) abgestützt ist, der axial mit der Linie ausgerichtet ist, die zwischen der Kante (15) des Blockes (15), die mit der Faltlinie (L1) der tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) übereinstimmt, und der Achse des Balkens (16) verläuft, während der Antriebsschaft (18) vorgesehen ist, um auf eine wechselnde Weise und um einen vorbestimmten Winkel mittels eines gekröpften Endes (118, 218) zu rotieren, das mit Antriebsmitteln (20, 121) in Eingriff ist, die eine wechselnde Schwenkbewegung in die radiale Richtung des Antriebsschaftes (18) bereitstellen.

13. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Antriebsschaft (18) der Faltblöcke (15) der korrespondierenden tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) in einer beweglichen Platte (119) mit ihren Achsen (0), die mit den Verlängerungen der Faltlinien (l1) der verbundenen tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) übereinstimmen, montiert sind, um sich so an die verschiedenen Dimensionen der Zigaretten und der Gruppen von Zigaretten anzupassen, wobei eine Vielzahl von Platten (119) vorgesehen ist, von denen jede eine korrespondierende relative Anordnung der Träger für die Rotation der Schafte (18) hat, wobei die Mittel zur Übertragung (118, 218, 20) und Umwandlung der alternierenden Querbewegung in eine alternierende Rotationsbewegung der Schafte (18) und in eine alternierende Oszillationsbewegung der Faltblöcke (15) einstellbar sind, um mit den neuen Faltbewegungen, dem Ende der Fahrpositionen und der Synchronisation der Faltblöcke (15) zueinander und zu den anderen Betätigungseinheiten zu passen.

14. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens auf der Seite, die dem vorderen Faltblatt (25) zugewandt ist, die Faltblöcke (15) um einen Anteil etwas kürzer als die assoziierte Faltlinie (L1) ist, so daß ein Streifen (902) für die teilweise Überlagerung des folgenden zugewandten Querflügels (402') durch den Vorschub der Faltbewegung des korrespondierenden Faltblattes (25) hinsichtlich zu der Rückholbewegung der Faltblöcke (15) zu der Ruheposition ohne irgendeine Kollision zwischen dem Faltblatt (25) und den Faltblöcken (15) freigelassen wird.

15. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß v or der Betätigung der Faltblöcke (15) für die tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) das vordere und hintere Faltblatt (5, 6) in die stand-by Position mit der Faltkante direkt benachbart zu und/oder im wesentlichen in Übereinstimmung mit den Faltlinien (L2) der Querflügel (402', 502') gebracht werden, wobei die Faltblätter mit Querverlängerungen (125, 126) versehen sind, die Seite an Seite miteinander von der Außenseite parallel zu den korrespondierenden Querflügeln (402', 502') liegen, die einen Behälterkanal in der ungefalteten Position der Querflügel zu der Zeit des Faltens der tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) und beim Weiterfalten dieser von den äußeren Dreiecksteilen (702) der Querflügel (402) bilden.

16. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zumindest die Verlängerung (125) von dem Faltblatt (25) von einer trapezoiden Form ist, die im wesentlichen mit der trapezoiden Form übereinstimmt, die durch die Querflügel (402', 502') nach dem Falten der tangentialen Flügel (602, 702) eingenommen wird, während das Faltblatt (25) und die Faltblöcke (15) miteinander auf eine solche Weise synchronisiert werden, daß das Faltblatt (25) die Faltblöcke (15) erreicht, wenn diese Blöcke in einer mittleren Rückholposition sind, wobei die Faltoberfläche (115), die eine kleinere Neigung hinsichtlich zu der Senkrechten an der korrespondierenden Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten hat als die der geneigten Seiten der Verlängerungen (125) der Faltblätter (25).

17. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren de vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Behälterabteile (101) auf eine solche Weise angeordnet sind, daß die Gruppe von Zigaretten und die rohrförmige Verpackung mit den Enden parallel zu der Richtung des Transportes orientiert sind, während die Faltblätter (25, 26) so gemacht sind, daß sie tangential zu den Enden der Gruppe von Zigaretten bewegt werden können, wobei die Behälterabteile (101) an den Enden offen sind, während die vorderen Faltblätter (25) und die hinteren Faltblätter (26) in Paaren auf einem gemeinsamen Schaft (27, 28) für das Ausführen des Faltens gegeneinander und von Rückholbewegungen mit einer alternierenden oszillierenden Bewegung eingepaßt sind, wobei das Ganze auf eine solche Weise ausgestaltet ist, daß in der stand-by Position die Faltblätter (5, 26) mit den Faltkanten vollständig parallel und/oder mit den Faltlinien (L2) der assoziierten Querflügel (402, 502) übereinstimmend angeordnet sind, wobei während der Faltbewegung die Faltkanten eine geneigte Position hinsichtlich zu der Richtung der Faltlinie (L2) und zu der Faltkante des zugewandten Faltblattes (25, 26) auf eine solche Weise einnehmen, daß jedes der gegenüberliegenden Faltblätter (25, 26) auf den Flügel (502', 402') , der mit dem gegenüberliegenden Faltblatt (26, 25) verbunden ist, gelegt werden kann, bevor dieses Blatt den verbundenen Flügel (502', 402') losgelassen hat, wobei ein minimaler Abstand für ein nicht kollidieren und/oder nicht Stören zwischen den Faltblättern (25, 26) durch die Ausführung der alternierenden oszillierenden Bewegungen in dieselbe Richtung und im wesentlichen mit derselben Geschwindigkeit und/oder in gegenüberliegende Richtungen aufrechterhalten wird.

18. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zwischen der Zuführstation (A) und der Faltstation (P) eine Wand für das Zurückhalten der Klappen (102, 202) der rohrförmigen Verpackung vorgesehen ist, die in der Position übereinandergelegt sind, bei der sie auf die korrespondierende Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten gefaltet sind, wobei diese Seite mit der offenen Seite des Behälterabteils (101) übereinstimmt und parallel oder tangential zu der Richtung des Transportes orientiert ist, wobei die Seite der Gruppe von Zigaretten gegen die stationäre Wand (305) in die Richtung des Faltens der oberen Klappe (102) gleitet und die Wand sich tangential zu dem Weg der offenen Seite des Behälterabteils (101) und in die Richtung des Transportes erstreckt.

19. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 18, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wand (305) für das Übereinanderlegen der offenen Seiten tangential zu der Richtung des Transportes des Behälterabteils (101) eine Öffnung (805) in der Faltstation hat, während sie (305') sich hinter diese Station zu der Entladestation (E) erstreckt, wobei die Faltstation mit entfernbaren Mitteln (33) für das Halten der Klappen (102, 202) an der offenen Seite des Behälterabteils (101) versehen ist, wobei es möglich ist, diese Mittel in Synchronisation mit den Schritten des Vorschubs des Behälterabteils (101) zu betätigen.

20. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß auf dem Transpoertweg zwischen der Faltstation (P) und der Entladestation (E) für jedes Ende der Gruppe von Zigaretten eine Wand (40) mit einer Oberfläche (140) für das in Position Halten der Flügel (402, 502, 602, 702) der Verpackung vorgesehen ist, die zu den Enden der Gruppe von Zigaretten gefaltet ist, wobei die verpackten Enden der Gruppe von Zigaretten entlang der Oberfläche gleiten.

21. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Flügel an jedem Ende der Gruppe von Zigaretten durch den hinteren Querflügel (502') gebildet ist, der, in der Position in der er auf den darunterliegenden Flügel (402, 602, 702) gefaltet wird, mit seiner freien vorderen Kante in die Richtung des Vorschubs orientiert ist, während das vordere Faltblatt (25) eine bewegliche Verlängerung (525) der Wand (40, 140) bildet, ein Abschnitt der Oberfläche (525), der der Gruppe von Zigaretten zugewandt ist und entlang der Faltkante liegt, die mit der Ebene der stationären Gleitoberfläche (140) ausgerichtet ist, und die zugewandten Enden des vorderen Faltblattes (25) und der Wand (40) mit komplementären Aussparungen oder dünneren Bereichen (240, 425) für einen wechselseitigen Eingriff versehen sind, um die Faltblätter (25) in einer Position zu positionieren, in der ihre inneren Oberfläche direkt benachbart zu der gleitenden Oberfläche (140, 525) ist.

22. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 21, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dir Faltkante des Faltblattes (25) rund oder abgeschrägt (225) gemacht ist, während der führende Abschnitt direkt benachbart zu der inneren Oberfläche (525) des Faltblattes (25) in der Form einer führenden Oberfläche (340) gemacht ist, mit anderen Worten dünner zu seinem Ende in der Form eines Keiles wird, das mit einer Stufe zu der benachbarten inneren Oberfläche (525) des Faltblattes (25) ausgespart ist.

23. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 19 oder 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel zum Betätigen der Faltblätter (25, 26) Mittel (30, 31) zum Synchronisieren der Bewegung der Faltblätter (25, 26) miteinander und mit den Faltblöcken (15) und mit den Schritten des Vorschubs des formenden Rades (1) umfassen, wobei die synchronisierenden Mittel auf eine solche Weise gemacht sind, daß das vordere Faltblatt (25) die Faltbewegung zuerst ausführt und das Faltblatt (26) die Faltbewegung mit einem gewissen Vorschub hinsichtlich zu dem Start der Rückholbewegung des vorderen Faltblattes (25) ausführt, das in einen gewissen minimalen Abstand zu dem vorderen Faltblatt (25) gebracht wird, zumindest wenn beide Faltblätter in der Nähe des Endes der Fahrposition der Rückholbewegung in dem Fall des vorderen Faltblattes (25) und der Faltbewegung in dem Fall des Faltblattes (26) sind, während des formende Rad (1) den Schritt des Vorschubs mit einem gewissen Vorschub hinsichtlich zu dem Moment ausführt, in dem die zwei Faltblätter (25, 26) das Ende der Fahrpositionen der Rückholbewegung und der Faltbewegung erreichen.

24. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bewegung der tangentialen Falteinrichtungen (6), der Faltblöcke (15), der Faltblätter (25, 26) und der Rückhaltefüße (33) mittels eines mechanischen Übertragungssystems (7, 8, 10, 36, 37, 110, 137, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 406, 35) von demselben Abtrieb (9) herbeigeführt wird, wie für den Antrieb des formenden Rades (1).

25. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 24, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Förderer (1) aus einem formenden Rad besteht, das mit mindestens einer und vorzugsweise mehreren radialen umfänglichen Behälterabteilen (101) versehen ist, die in gleichen Winkelintervallen vorgesehen sind, wobei ihre tangentialen offenen Seiten an dem Umfang des formenden Rades angeordnet sind, wobei die rohrförmige Verpackung durch Verpacken des Verpackungsblattes um eine Achse parallel zu der Achse des formenden Rades gebildet wird, und die Seiten der Abteile (101) auf den Seiten des Rades offen gemacht sind, so daß die Endabschnitte der rohrförmigen Verpackung die schließenden Flügel (402, 502, 602, 702) der Enden der rohrförmigen Verpackung bilden und von den Abteilen hervorstehen.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour empaqueter des produits, notamment des produits cylindriques tels que des cigarettes, ou analogues, dans une feuille d'emballage, dans lequel les étapes suivantes sont prévues :

- former un groupe de cigarettes (S) en un nombre déterminé à l'avance et ayant un ordre correspondant à celui de l'état empaqueté ;

- combiner le groupe de cigarettes (S) à une feuille (2) d'emballage dans une position relative déterminée à l'avance et les insérer dans un compartiment (101) de containement avec un pliage simultané de la feuille (2) d'emballage en une forme de "C" autour des côtés du groupe de cigarettes (S) associés aux côtés fermés du compartiment (101) de containement ;

- former un emballage tubulaire en pliant et maintenant en position les rebords (102, 202) de la feuille (2) d'emballage sur le côté du groupe de cigarettes qui est du côté d'entrée ouvert du compartiment (101) de containement ;

- fermer ensuite les extrémités ouvertes de l'emballage tubulaire en pliant des ailes (402, 502, 602, 702) formées par les parties terminales aux extrémités de l'emballage tubulaire faisant saillies au-delà des côtés correspondants du groupe de cigarettes, dans lequel la formation complète du paquet, en d'autres termes le pliage complet de la feuille (2) d'emballage autour du groupe ordonné de cigarettes (S), est exécutée en deux postes (A, P) uniquement, en d'autres termes dans le poste (A) où le groupe de cigarettes (S) et la feuille (2) d'emballage sont introduits dans le compartiment (101) de containement et dans uniquement un autre poste (P) de pliage suivant formé par l'un des postes suivant le poste d'alimentation, le paquet étant complètement formé au moment de l'étape d'avancement pour le départ à partir du poste (P) de pliage, la formation de l'emballage tubulaire ouvert étant exécutée sensiblement dans le poste (A) d'alimentation et terminée pendant l'étape d'avancement, en d'autres termes dans la partie initiale de l'étape d'avancement, tandis que la fermeture sur les extrémités de l'emballage tubulaire est terminée simultanément pour les deux extrémités opposées de l'emballage tubulaire dans le poste (P) de pliage et dans l'étape d'avancement suivante, l'emballage complètement formé étant simplement maintenu fermé jusqu'à ce que le poste (E) de décharge soit atteint, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu de laisser libre au moins une bande (302, 902) périphérique pour la superposition d'une aile ou patte supérieure sur les ailes ou pattes (202, 402, 602, 702) inférieures, cette bande (302, 902) de superposition périphérique étant prévue sur un côté directement adjacent à côté de l'aile ou patte supérieure suivante (102, 402, 502) ou lui faisant face, en d'autres termes une partie de la patte qui est pliée en position la première, la patte ou aile (202, 402, 602, 702) inférieure étant maintenue dans la position pliée uniquement jusqu'à ce que l'aile ou patte (102, 402, 502) de pliage supérieure soit au moins partiellement superposée sur la bande (302, 902) de superposition libre.

2. Dispositif pour l'application du procédé suivant la revendication 1, qui comporte :

- des moyens destinés à former un groupe ordonné de cigarettes ;

- des moyens (4, 203) destinés à alimenter ledit groupe avec une feuille (2) d'emballage dans un compartiment (101) de containement ouvert au moins à un côté d'entrée et à deux côtés transversaux par rapport à celui-ci ;

- des moyens (1, 201) destinés à convoyer le compartiment (101) de containement ;

- des moyens (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) de pliage stationnaires et/ou mobiles qui sont répartis le long du trajet du compartiment (101) destiné à contenir le groupe de cigarettes à emballer et la feuille (2) d'emballage associée, ces moyens (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) étant conçus pour plier la feuille (2) d'emballage autour du groupe de cigarettes pour former un premier emballage tubulaire et ensuite pour fermer les extrémités ouvertes de l'emballage tubulaire ;

- les moyens (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) de pliage stationnaires et/ou mobiles étant prévus uniquement dans le poste (A) d'alimentation et dans uniquement l'un des postes suivant, qui est un poste (P) de pliage pour terminer le dispositif d'emballage empaquetant, et qui est de préférence le poste qui suit immédiatement le poste (A) d'alimentation, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) de pliage ont une forme telle en ce qui concerne les pattes ou ailes (102, 202, 402, 502, 602, 702), et/ou sont mis en fonctionnement d'une manière telle, qu'ils s'arrêtent à une certaine distance d'un bord libre des ailes ou des pattes (202, 402, 502, 602, 702), laissant libre une bande (302, 902) complète ou partielle pour la superposition de la patte ou aile (102, 402, 502) suivante et du dispositif (605, 25, 26) de pliage correspondant sur le côté qui est atteint en premier par le dispositif (605, 25, 26) de pliage de l'aile ou patte (102, 402, 502) suivante, les moyens (5, 105, 205, 6, 605, 15, 115, 25, 26) de pliage et les moyens de synchronisation et de fonctionnement étant réalisés d'une manière telle que les moyens (6, 15, 25) de pliage des ailes ou pattes (202, 602, 702, 402) inférieures et ceux (605, 25, 26) des ailes et pattes directement au-dessus (102, 402, 502) n'interfèrent pas mutuellement, tandis que des moyens sont prévus pour avancer le début du déplacement de pliage des moyens (605, 25, 26) de pliage de la patte ou aile (102, 402, 502) supérieure vis-à-vis du déplacement en retour du dispositif (6, 15, 25) de pliage de l'aile ou patte immédiatement en dessous (202, 602, 702, 402), cette avance correspondant au déplacement nécessaire pour la superposition de la patte ou aile (102, 402, 502) supérieure sur la bande (302, 902) de superposition périphérique libre prévue sur l'aile ou patte (202, 602, 702, 402) inférieure.

3. Dispositif suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (15, 25, 26) de pliage sont réalisés d'une manière telle qu'ils peuvent être amenés en une position d'attente directement adjacente aux ailes ou pattes (402, 502, 602, 702) de la feuille (2) d'emballage qui n'ont pas encore été pliées, ou sont amenés en cette position pendant le temps d'attente ou libre de ces dispositifs de pliage ou d'autres dispositifs de pliage, et le bord (225, 215) de pliage étant sensiblement aligné et/ou en coïncidence avec la ligne (L1, L2) de pliage déterminée à l'avance.

4. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 et 3 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la feuille (2) d'emballage est enveloppée en une forme tubulaire autour du groupe de cigarettes (S), le long d'un axe perpendiculaire à la direction de transport, tandis que le côté ouvert du compartiment (101) de containement est orienté parallèle à la direction de transport ou tangentiellement et/ou de manière sécante à la direction de transport, au moins un dispositif (605) de pliage stationnaire et au moins un dispositif (6) de pliage mobile tangentiellement étant prévu dans le poste (A) pour alimenter le groupe de cigarettes dans le compartiment (101) de containement, et étant disposés opposés l'un à l'autre vis-à-vis de l'avance du compartiment (101) de containement, le dispositif (6) de pliage mobile tangentiellement étant capable d'être entraîné alternativement vers l'avant et vers l'arrière, suivant la direction d'avance du compartiment (101) de containement ou dans une direction tangentielle au trajet d'avance et transversalement vis-à-vis de la patte (102, 202) de l'emballage (2) à plier, en prévoyant des moyens d'activation synchronisée du déplacement en va-et-vient du dispositif (6) de pliage tangentiel avec l'avance du compartiment (101) de containement et des moyens de limitation des déplacements d'avance et de retour du dispositif (6) de pliage mobile, ces moyens étant réalisés d'une manière telle que le déplacement d'avance a lieu dans la direction d'avance du compartiment (101) de containement, et est avancé dans une mesure telle par rapport à l'étape d'avancement du compartiment (101) que le dispositif (6) de pliage prend une position relative stable par rapport au bord libre de la patte (202) pliée associée, formant une bande (302) périphérique avant qui est transversale par rapport à l'étape d'avancement du compartiment (101) de containement, cette bande (302) étant conçue pour être partiellement insérée pour une certaine distance sous le dispositif (605) de pliage stationnaire et sous la partie de la patte (102) qui est pliée par celui-ci, avant que le dispositif (6) de pliage mobile ne commence son déplacement en retour dans la direction opposée à la direction d'avancement du compartiment (101) de containement.

5. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 4 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, dans le poste (P) de pliage, des moyens (15, 25, 26) mobiles destinés à plier les parties d'extrémités faisant saillies de l'emballage tubulaire sont prévus pour chaque extrémité ouverte de l'emballage tubulaire, les parties d'extrémités comportant au moins une paire de premières ailes (602, 702) opposées mutuellement et orientées tangentiellement à la direction d'avance ou dans la direction d'avance du compartiment (101) de containement, et au moins deux secondes ailes (402, 502) supplémentaires opposées l'une à l'autre, réunies à leurs extrémités aux deux ailes (602, 702) tangentielles et orientées transversalement, de préférence perpendiculairement, par rapport aux ailes (602, 702) tangentielles et à la direction d'avance du compartiment (101) de containement, les dispositifs (15) de pliage mobiles des premières ailes étant constitués d'une surface (115) qui peut osciller par rapport à un axe (0) coïncidant avec un bord (215) libre de ladite surface et avec la ligne (L1) de pliage, en d'autres termes avec le bord du côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes, d'une position dans laquelle il est sensiblement aligné avec lesdites ailes (602, 702) et superposé extérieurement sur lesdites ailes (602, 702) dans l'état non plié à la position pliée des ailes, dans laquelle la surface (115) de pliage qui peut osciller est renversée contre le côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes, et les dispositifs (25, 26) de pliage des secondes ailes (402, 502) étant constitués de deux lames opposées l'une à l'autre et ayant un bord de pliage mobile en une position coïncidant avec la ligne (L2) de pliage ou adjacente à la ligne (L2) de pliage des secondes ailes (602, 702), en d'autres termes avec le bord correspondant du côté du groupe de cigarettes, ces lames (25, 26) de pliage étant capables d'être entraînées par un déplacement de coulissement parallèle et tangentiel au plan contenant le côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes, une lame étant entraînée dans une direction opposée à celle de l'autre, et les lames étant entraînées en alternance, de sorte que chacune effectue un déplacement de pliage dans lequel les lames de pliage sont au moins partiellement superposées sur le côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes et un déplacement de retour vers la position d'attente et/ou de repos.

6. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 5 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les dispositifs (605, 15, 25) de pliage des ailes (60, 70) tangentielles et des ailes (102, 402) axiales et transversales avant, par référence à l'avancement du compartiment (101) de containement, prennent une position de repos vis-à-vis du compartiment (101) de containement et des ailes (102, 402, 602, 702) correspondant à la position d'attente, dans laquelle les dispositifs (605, 15, 25) de pliage sont sensiblement directement adjacents aux ailes correspondantes et aux lignes (L1, L2) de pliage dans la position initiale du déplacement de pliage actif.

7. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 6 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les dispositifs (15) de pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles ou parallèles à la direction d'avance des compartiments (101) de containement sont constitués de surfaces (115) de blocs (15) qui oscillent par rapport à des axes (0) coïncidant avec un bord (215) périphérique des surfaces (115) et avec les lignes (L1) de pliage des ailes (602, 702), lesdits blocs (15) étant supportés sur le côté sensiblement opposé à celui du bord (215) d'oscillation et faisant saillie de ce côté, de sorte que les surfaces (115) sont amenées en alternance dans une position d'attente adjacente aux ailes (602, 702) dans l'état non plié et dans une position de pliage dans laquelle elles sont retournées contre le côté faisant face du groupe de cigarettes.

8. Dispositif suivant la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que, dans la position d'attente, les surfaces (115) de pliage sont orientées de sorte qu'elles divergent vers l'extérieur et vers l'extrémité opposée à la ligne (L1) de pliage par rapport à la position des ailes (602, 702) associées dans l'état non plié.

9. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 8 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, dans le poste (P) de pliage, les moyens (15 et 25) de pliage des ailes (60, 702) tangentielles et des ailes (402) transversales avant sur les deux extrémités du groupe de cigarettes sont disposés dans la position d'attente, et le groupe de cigarettes enveloppé dans l'emballage tubulaire et contenu dans le compartiment (1) est inséré avec les lignes correspondant aux lignes (L1, L2) de pliage dans une position déterminée à l'avance de la configuration des dispositifs (15, 25) de pliage par l'étape d'avance du poste d'alimentation vers le poste de pliage.

10. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 9 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le bord (215) de la surface (115) de pliage oscillante qui coïncide sensiblement avec la ligne (L1) de pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles correspondantes ou qui est directement adjacente à la ligne (L1) de pliage a une longueur sensiblement égale à celle de la ligne (L1), tandis que les zones de coin de la surface de pliage sont chanfreinées ou arrondies (315) dans la zone d'extrémité de la ligne (L1) de pliage.

11. Dispositif suivant la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que la surface (115) de pliage oscillante des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles et le bord (215) libre coïncidant avec les lignes (L1) de pliage et avec l'axe d'oscillation (0) sont formés par la surface faisant face aux ailes et par le bord correspondant d'un bloc (15) ayant une section transversale sensiblement trapézoïdale, tandis que les zones de coin du bloc (15) aux extrémités du bord (15) sont aplaties, chanfreinées ou arrondies (315).

12. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 11 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que des blocs (15) sont supportés radialement en faisant chacun saillie d'une barre (16) qui est parallèle à l'axe (0) d'un arbre (18) d'entraînement et qui est supportée en rotation par rapport audit axe (0) au moyen d'un bras (17) radial aligné axialement avec la ligne s'étendant entre le bord (15) du bloc (15) coïncidant avec la ligne (L1) de pliage de l'aile (602, 702) tangentielle et l'axe de la barre (16), tandis que l'arbre (18) d'entraînement est tourné d'une manière alternative et suivant un angle déterminé à l'avance au moyen d'une extrémité (118, 218) contrecoudée coopérant avec des moyens (20, 121) d'entraînement permettant un déplacement transversal en alternance suivant la direction radiale de l'arbre (18) d'entraînement.

13. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 12 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les arbres (18) d'entraînement des blocs (15) de pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles correspondantes sont montés dans une plaque (119) pouvant être retirée en ayant leurs axes (0) coïncidant avec les prolongements des lignes (L1) de pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles associées, tout en pouvant s'adapter aux différentes dimensions des cigarettes et du groupe de cigarettes, une pluralité de plaques (119) est prévue, chacune ayant une disposition relative correspondante des supports pour la rotation des arbres (18), les moyens de transmission (118, 218, 20) et de conversion du déplacement transversal en alternance en un déplacement de rotation en alternance des arbres (18) et en un déplacement d'oscillation alterné des blocs (15) de pliage pouvant être ajustés pour correspondre aux nouveaux déplacements de pliage, aux extrémités des positions de course et à la synchronisation des blocs (15) de pliage l'un vis-à-vis de l'autre et vis-à-vis des autres unités de fonctionnement.

14. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 13 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, au moins sur le côté faisant face aux lames (25) de pliage avant, les blocs (15) de pliage sont réalisés légèrement plus courts que la ligne (L1) de pliage associée, d'une quantité telle qu'une bande (902) est laissée libre pour la superposition partielle de l'aile (402') transversale faisant face suivante lors de l'avance du déplacement de pliage de la lame (25) de pliage correspondante par rapport au déplacement en retour des blocs (15) de pliage vers la position de repos, sans qu'aucune collision n'ait lieu entre la lame (25) de pliage et les blocs (15) de pliage.

15. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 14 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, avant le fonctionnement des blocs (15) de pliage pour les ailes (602, 702) tangentielles, les lames (5, 6) de pliage avant et arrière sont amenées en la position d'attente, le bord de pliage directement adjacent aux lignes (L2) de pliage des ailes (402', 502') transversales et/ou coïncidant sensiblement avec les lignes (L2) de pliage des ailes (402', 502') transversales, les lames de pliage étant munies de prolongements (125, 126) transversaux qui se trouvent côte à côte à partir de l'extérieur parallèlement aux ailes (402', 502') transversales correspondantes, formant un canal de containement dans la position non pliée des ailes transversales au moment du pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles et du pliage sur ces ailes des parties (702) triangulaires extérieures des ailes (402) transversales.

16. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 15, caractérisé en ce que le prolongement (125) d'au moins la lame (25) de pliage est de forme trapézoïdale, correspondant sensiblement à la forme trapézoïdale prise par les ailes (402', 502') transversales après le pliage des ailes (602, 702) tangentielles tandis que la lame (25) de pliage et les blocs (15) de pliage sont synchronisés mutuellement d'une manière telle que la lame (25) de pliage atteint les blocs (15) de pliage lorsque ces blocs sont dans une position de retour intermédiaire, la surface (115) de pliage ayant une inclinaison plus petite vis-à-vis de la perpendiculaire du côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes que celle des côtés inclinés des prolongements (125) des lames (25) de pliage.

17. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 16 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les compartiments (101) de containement sont disposés d'une manière telle que le groupe de cigarettes et l'emballage tubulaire sont orientés en ayant les extrémités parallèles à la direction de transport, tandis que les lames (25, 26) de pliage sont réalisées de sorte qu'elles peuvent être déplacées tangentiellement vers les extrémités du groupe de cigarettes, les compartiments (101) de containement étant ouverts aux extrémités, tandis que les lames (25) de pliage avants et les lames (26) arrières sont adaptées par paires sur un arbre (27, 28) commun pour l'exécution de déplacements de retour et de pliage opposés avec un déplacement en oscillation en va-et-vient, l'ensemble étant conçu d'une manière telle que, dans la position d'attente, les lames (5, 26) de pliage sont disposées en ayant les bords de pliage complètement parallèles et/ou coïncidant avec les lignes (L2) de pliage des ailes (402, 502) transversales associées, tandis que pendant le déplacement de pliage, le bord de pliage prend une position inclinée vis-à-vis de la direction de la ligne (L2) de pliage et du bord de pliage de la lame (25, 26) de pliage faisant face, d'une manière telle que chacune des lames (25, 26) de pliage opposées peut être superposée sur l'aile (502', 402') associée à la lame (26, 25) de pliage opposée, avant que cette lame n'ait relâché l'aile (502', 402') associée, une distance minimale de non collision et/ou de non interférence entre les lames (25, 26) de pliage étant maintenue par l'exécution de déplacements d'oscillation en va-et-vient suivant la même direction et sensiblement à la même vitesse et/ou dans des directions opposées.

18. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 17 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que entre le poste (A) d'alimentation et le poste (P) de pliage est prévue une paroi pour maintenir les pattes (102, 202) de l'emballage tubulaire superposées l'une sur l'autre dans la position dans laquelle elles sont pliées sur le côté correspondant du groupe de cigarettes, ce côté coïncidant avec le côté ouvert du compartiment (101) de containement et étant orienté parallèlement ou tangentiellement à la direction de transport, le côté du groupe de cigarettes coulissant contre la paroi (305) stationnaire dans la direction de pliage de la patte (102) supérieure, et ladite paroi s'étendant tangentiellement au trajet du côté ouvert du compartiment (101) de containement et dans la direction de transport.

19. Dispositif suivant la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que la paroi (305) pour la superposition sur les côtés ouverts tangentiellement à la direction de transport des compartiments (101) de containement a une ouverture (805) dans le poste (P) de pliage, tandis qu'elle s'étend (305') au-delà de ce poste vers le poste (E) de décharge, le poste (P) de pliage étant muni de moyens (33) pouvant être retirés destinés à maintenir les pattes (102, 202) sur le côté ouvert du compartiment (101) de containement, un fonctionnement de ces moyens en synchronisation avec les étapes d'avance des compartiments (101) de containement étant possible.

20. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 19 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, sur le trajet de transport entre le poste (P) de pliage et le poste (E) de décharge, pour chaque extrémité du groupe de cigarettes, une paroi (40) est prévue ayant une surface (140) destinée à maintenir en position les ailes (402, 502, 602, 702) de l'emballage plié sur les extrémités du groupe de cigarettes, les extrémités emballées du groupe de cigarettes coulissant le long de cette surface.

21. Dispositif suivant la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que l'aile supérieure à chaque extrémité du groupe de cigarettes est formée par l'aile (502') transversale arrière qui, dans la position dans laquelle elle est pliée sur les ailes (402, 602, 702) sous-jacentes, est orientée en ayant son bord avant libre dans la direction d'avance, tandis que la lame (25) de pliage avant forme un prolongement (525) mobile de la paroi (40, 140), une partie de la surface (525) faisant face au groupe de cigarettes et se trouvant le long du bord de pliage aligné avec le plan de la surface (140) de coulissement stationnaire, et les extrémités de face de la lame (25) de pliage avant et de la paroi (40) étant munies d'évidement complémentaire ou de zones (240, 425) plus minces pour une coopération mutuelle, pour le positionnement de la lame (25) de pliage dans une position dans laquelle sa surface intérieure est adjacente directement à la surface (140, 525) de coulissement.

22. Dispositif suivant la revendication 21, caractérisé en ce que le bord de pliage de la lame (25) de pliage est réalisé arrondi on chanfreiné (225), tandis que la partie d'attaque directement adjacente à la surface (525) intérieure de la lame (25) de pliage est réalisée sous la forme d'une surface (340) de guidage, en d'autres termes devient plus mince sous la forme d'un coin vers son extrémité, qui est évidée par un échelon à partir de la surface (525) intérieure adjacente de la lame (25) de pliage.

23. Dispositif suivant la revendication 19 ou 20, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de fonctionnement des lames (25, 26) de pliage comportent des moyens (30, 31) de synchronisation du déplacement des lames (25, 26) de pliage l'une avec l'autre et avec les blocs (15) de pliage et avec les étapes d'avancement de la roue (1) de formation, les moyens de synchronisation étant réalisés d'une manière telle que la lame (25) de pliage avant exécute le déplacement de pliage d'abord et la lame (26) de pliage exécute le déplacement de pliage avec une certaine avance par rapport au début du déplacement de retour de la lame (25) de pliage avant, étant amenés à une certaine distance minimale de la lame (25) de pliage avant, au moins lorsque les deux lames de pliage sont à proximité de la fin de la position de course du déplacement en retour dans le cas de la lame (25) de pliage avant et du déplacement de pliage dans le cas de la lame (26) de pliage, tandis que la roue (1) de formation exécute l'étape d'avancement avec une certaine avance par rapport au moment auquel les deux lames (25, 26) de pliage atteignent l'extrémité des positions de course des déplacements de retour et de pliage.

24. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 23 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le déplacement du dispositif (6) de pliage tangentiel, des blocs (15) de pliage, des lames (25, 26) de pliage et du pied (33) de maintien est réalisé au moyen d'un système (7, 8, 10, 36, 37, 110, 137, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 406, 35) de transmission mécanique à partir du même point de puissance (9) que pour l'entraînement de la roue (1) de formation.

25. Dispositif suivant l'une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 24 précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le convoyeur (1) est constitué d'une roue de formation munie d'au moins un et de préférence plusieurs compartiments (101) de containement périphériques radiaux qui sont disposés à des intervalles angulaires égaux, leurs côtés ouverts tangentiels étant disposés à la périphérie de la roue de formation, l'emballage tubulaire étant formé en enveloppant la feuille d'emballage par rapport à un axe parallèle à l'axe de la roue de formation, et les côtés des compartiments (101) sur les côtés de la roue étant réalisés ouverts de sorte que les parties d'extrémité des emballages tubulaires formant les ailes (402, 502, 602, 702) de fermeture des extrémités de l'emballage tubulaire faisant saillie des compartiments.

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